Major Themes

Aunt Polly placed small trust in such evidence. She went out to see for herself; and she would have been content to find twenty per cent. of Tom’s statement true. When she found the entire fence whitewashed, and not only whitewashed but elaborately coated and recoated, and even a streak added to the ground, her astonishment was almost unspeakable. She said:

“Well, I never! There’s no getting round it, you can work when you’re a mind to, Tom.” And then she diluted the compliment by adding, “But it’s powerful seldom you’re a mind to, I’m bound to say. Well, go ‘long and play; but mind you get back some time in a week, or I’ll tan you.”

She was so overcome by the splendor of his achievement that she took him into the closet and selected a choice apple and delivered it to him, along with an improving lecture upon the added value and flavor a treat took to itself when it came without sin through virtuous effort. And while she closed with a happy Scriptural flourish, he “hooked” a doughnut.

Then he skipped out, and saw Sid just starting up the outside stairway that led to the back rooms on the second floor. Clods were handy and the air was full of them in a twinkling. They raged around Sid like a hail-storm; and before Aunt Polly could collect her surprised faculties and sally to the rescue, six or seven clods had taken personal effect, and Tom was over the fence and gone. There was a gate, but as a general thing he was too crowded for time to make use of it. His soul was at peace, now that he had settled with Sid for calling attention to his black thread and getting him into trouble.

Developing a Yearbook Theme

What is a Yearbook Theme?

Consider the yearbook theme as the attitude or personality of the year for your school. It is a perfect medium to tell a story that will be remembered by all in a positive or spirit-related format. Your school yearbook should record the events of the year and celebrate the milestones of the year under the unified story format of your the theme. Yearbook themes come in different shapes and sizes based upon the attitude of the year. Yearbook themes are discussed and portrayed in all sections of the yearbook, especially on the cover, endsheets, title pages, opening pages, closing pages, and division pages for each section of the school yearbook.

Good Yearbook Theme Ideas:

Here are a few themes you can consider just for starters:

  • A Cut Above 
  • A Day in the Life
  • A Flash from the Past
  • A New Awakening
  • A New Point of View
  • A Season of Change
  • A Step Above the Rest
  • A Touch of Class
  • Anyway You Slice It
  • Attention to Detail
  • Between the Lines
  • Breaking Thru
  • Built to Last
  • Capture the Magic
  • Catch the Moments
  • Caught in the Act

The key to developing a good yearbook theme is making sure you address the theme in every section of your yearbook as well as the cover and endsheets (if applicable). Consider playing off words of the yearbook theme as titles for each section or work on conceptual themes that play of a yearbook idea vs. words.

How To Develop Your School Yearbook Theme

As a yearbook publishing company, we are often asked to provide our expert opinion about the yearbook publishing process. One question that is repeated time and again is what are the best ways to develop a yearbook theme, or ideas for developing your yearbook theme.  YearbookLife is happy to share some yearbook theme ideas for your elementary, middle or high school yearbook project.

What is a Yearbook Theme?

  • Consider the yearbook theme as the attitude or personality of the year for your school
  • It is a perfect medium to tell a story that will be remembered by all in a positive or spirit-related format
  • Your school yearbook should record the events of the year and celebrate the milestones of the year under the unified story format of your the theme.
  • School yearbook themes come in different shapes and sizes based upon the attitude of the year.
  • Yearbook themes are discussed and portrayed in all sections of the yearbook, especially on the cover, endsheets, title pages, opening pages, closing pages, and division pages for each section of the yearbook.

Possible Yearbook Themes

The key to developing a theme is making sure you address the theme in every section of the yearbook.  Here are a few themes you can consider just for starters:

  • A Cut Above   
  • A Day in the Life
  • A Flash from the Past 
  • A New Awakening
  • A New Point of View  
  • A Season of Change
  • A Step Above the Rest 
  • A Touch of Class
  • Anyway You Slice It  
  • Attention to Detail
  • Between the Lines
  • Breaking Thru
  • Built to Last
  • Capture the Magic
  • Catch the Moments  
  • Caught in the Act

Choose a theme and begin to develop it.

Example of a Theme

The key to developing a yearbook theme is making sure you address the theme in every section of the yearbook as well as the cover and endsheets (if applicable).

Consider playing off words of the theme as titles for each section or work on conceptual themes that play of an idea vs. words. 

Consider working with a theme like: “Inside & Out”

  • Stud. Life: Inside our Walls 
  • Sports: On the Sidelines
  • Clubs: Siding with Others 
  • Portraits: Side by Side
  • Acad.: Sides of Success 
  • Ads: Outside our walls…

Did you notice how a word that is part of the theme is developed and ties to yearbook theme as well?

Designing Your Yearbook: Font Style Tips for Eye-Catching Content

Hi There!
I’m Trying To Get Your Attention

so you can learn more!

When flipping through a magazine or book, what grabs your attention? Often, it’s the style, color, and content of headlines or keywords. In the world of yearbooks, captivating someone’s attention means creating stylish, fun headlines that compel readers to explore further.

Experienced designers understand the importance of crafting engaging copy. Eye-catching headlines, captions, and sub-headlines aim to make readers stop and engage with the content.

But you don’t want all of that fun, engaging content to look scattered. There is something to be said about maintaining a consistent design throughout your book. But consistency does not have to be boring. Creating your own unique “Style Guide” helps bridge that gap.

A style guide is a road map that your entire design team can follow to help create a cohesive look to your book. In terms of “words on the page”, key considerations include headline sizes, body copy points for different content levels, and maintaining a cohesive theme throughout. Sub-headlines, body copy, and quote collection styles should be clear and engaging, with variations based on coverage levels.

Font Style Tips for School Yearbooks:

  1. Most HEADLINES should be a minimum of 30 points, with the primary headline occasionally reaching 100 points or more. Primary headlines often introduce a section of your yearbook. For example, your largest Primary Headlines may include: Sports, Underclassmen, Clubs etc. While Headlines may introduce: Football, Soccer, Freshmen, etc. Other headline styles for different coverage levels should be smaller, with the Level Three headline at around 30 points or less. Headline styles should vary across sections while still aligning with the overall theme.
  2. SUBHEADLINES can range from 7-point to 10-point, depending on the associated coverage level.
  3. LEVEL ONE body copy should not exceed 10-point size. There should be only one Level One style for the entire publication, so consider making the initial words or sentence more prominent. Each spread should have only one Level One copy.
  4. LEVEL TWO body copy should not surpass 9-point size. You can have two Level Two styles, but ensure they feature distinct type combinations. Bolden the first words or sentence to capture readers’ attention.
  5. LEVEL THREE body copy should be a maximum of 8-point size. You can have two Level Three styles, each with unique type combinations. Bolden the first words or sentence to engage readers.
  6. QUOTE COLLECTION copy should not exceed 8 points, but it can be as small as 6-point bold italic. Maintain one consistent style for this less critical content on your spread.

Make sure to review all of the font styles available to you, keeping in mind that different font type sizes can be complementary and coupled together to create your own unique style.

>>> How to Design Captivating Yearbook Page Layouts

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Yearbook Fundraising Ideas: Creative Ways to Raise Money for Your School’s Yearbook

Creating a stunning yearbook is a rewarding endeavor, but the costs associated with printing and publishing can sometimes be a challenge. In this blog, we’ll explore a variety of creative and effective yearbook fundraising ideas that not only help you meet your budget but also foster a sense of community involvement and school spirit.

9 School Yearbook Fundraising Ideas

Here are some creative fundraising ideas for your school’s yearbook that will help you create memories, build community, and make your yearbook project unforgettable:

  1. Customized Merchandise Sales

Design and sell school merchandise such as t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, or even custom school spirit accessories. Not only do these items generate funds, but they also serve as keepsakes, creating a sense of pride among students and supporters.

  1. Themed Events and Activities

Host themed events or activities like a movie night or a talent show. Charge a small admission fee or offer concessions to raise funds. Themed events not only provide financial support but also contribute to a vibrant school culture and can be a great addition to the yearbook content!

  1. Sponsorship Packages

Reach out to local businesses for sponsorship opportunities. Offer packages that include advertisement space in the yearbook, on the school website, or at school events. This not only supports the yearbook financially, but also fosters connections between the school and the local community.

  1. Community Cookbook

Compile and sell a community cookbook featuring favorite recipes from students, faculty, and parents. This not only raises funds but also creates a tangible, personalized item that families will cherish.

  1. Yearbook Pre-Sale and Packages

Offer discounted pre-sale pricing for the yearbook, to encourage early purchases. You can also create special bundled packages that include a yearbook plus a dedication ad, or a yearbook plus a school shirt. Think of bundling items and selling them at a discounted price to entice purchases.

  1. Art Auction or Exhibition

Organize an art auction or exhibition featuring works created by students, teachers, or local artists. The proceeds from the sale of artworks can contribute significantly to your yearbook fund.

  1. Car Wash or Yard Sale

Host a car wash or organize a yard sale with donated items from the community. The funds raised can go directly toward the production cost of the yearbook.

  1. Yearbook Art Contest

Hold an art contest within the school community, where students submit artwork for the yearbook cover. Charge a small entry fee and involve the community in voting for their favorite piece. The winning artwork becomes the cover, and the funds raised contribute to the yearbook.

  1. Yearbook Signing Day

Host a special event where students, parents, and faculty can get together and sign yearbooks! Create a festive atmosphere with music and sell refreshments. If you’ve ordered additional yearbooks, this is a great opportunity to sell more! .

With a bit of creativity and community involvement, funding your school’s yearbook can be an exciting and rewarding process. These fundraising ideas not only provide financial support but also bring people together, fostering a sense of pride and unity. By involving the community in the creation of the yearbook, you not only secure the funds needed, but also make the yearbook a true representation of the shared spirit and support within your school. Happy fundraising!

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